Otto Kissenberth

[Terrencejones]

The Bavarian Knight Oil on canvas




Otto Kissenberth was one of three German aces to wear spectacles during the war, Bernet and Wintgens being the other two. Kissenberth most often flew an Albatros D.V with yellow and white Edelweiss painted on its fuselage. Credited with 20 victories his last was scored in a captured Sopwith Camel. Less than two weeks later, on the evening of 29 May 1918, he was seriously injured when he crashed the British fighter. He was awarded the Pour le Merit whilst recovering in hospital. Returning to duty later that year, he served as commanding officer of the Schliessheim flying school until the end of the war. In 1919, Kissenberth was killed in a climbing accident while mountaineering in the Bavarian Alps.


Cheers,

Terry

[Romani]

Excellent subject, composition and lighting. I like it, is this based on any of Kissenberth combats?

Another question, did you choose the composition purely for artistic reasons? From a combat flying perspective, the Nieuport is rightly positioned behind the unfortunate burning Albatros in a persecution curve, but the position of Kissenberth's Albatros looks kinda awkward, as it is banking towards the right and will end in the outside of the curve. The controls are in neutral position, wich is a bit puzzling, there should be at least aleiron deflection, unless of course your painting captures the right moment where the controls are in neutral before the Albatros levels and banks in the opposite direction.

Just my two eurocents, adjusted for inflation.

[Terrencejones]

Thank you Romani, I'm really pleased you like it
The action is based on the knowledge that Kissenberth was credited with a Nieuport 17. The scene is a typical hunting the hunter type of thing.
I wasn't sure whether to add some surface control movement or not but now you've mentioned it I think I should. I'll repost when I've sorted it out, thanks for that mate.

Terry

[Terrencejones]

Thought I could paste the new pic over the old but seems not. Anyway here's the new one with slight changes. A little bit of surface control movement, couldn't do too much as it ruined the flow



Cheers,

Terry

[Romani]

That will do. The best is enemy of good enough. Sometimes you have to allow for artistic license.

[Gregvan]

Hi Terry,

That's a really great painting - I love the composition!! Kissenberth and his Edelweiss-decorated fighters have always been favorites of mine. You've captured the appearance and spirit of this encounter beautifully.

I realize you (probably) just copied and pasted the Aerodrome's own information on Kissenberth, but I'd like to take this opportunity to correct a misconception in that text. I suppose it originated with the statement in Above the Lines (by Franks, Guest and Bailey) that, "Contrary to all normal standards of eagle-eyed fighter pilots, Kissenberth wore glasses, as did fellow aces Bernert and Wintgens." That much is true, but it's not really correct to state that Kissenberth was "one of three German aces to wear spectacles during the war". There were more than that (just FYI). It would be pretty amazing if the only German aces to wear glasses all won the "Pour le Mérite"!

A very quick glance through the German aces lists brings to mind these other "four-eyed" German 'Kanonen'.

Hans Bethge, Jasta 1 and 30, 20 victories

Walter Kypke, Jasta 14, 41, 47 (etc), 9 victories

Richard Runge, Jasta 18, 8 victories

Hans Schilling, an observer ace who flew with Dossenbach, 8 victories

Erich Sonneck, Jasta 66, 6 victories

In addition, there were several like Rudolf Berthold and Egon Koepsch who occasionally wore monocles. It was hardly unusual in the German air service to wear spectacles, even among observers.

Please understand that these comments are in no way meant to detract from the terrific impact of your superb painting. I just felt like correcting a common misconception.

Greg

[Terrencejones]

Thanks Greg. It would seem a little bizarre that the only pilots to wear glasses all won the "Pour le Merite" I'm glad some one is on the ball

Cheers,

Terry

[Barrett]

Originally Posted by Gregvan

Hi Terry,

That's a really great painting - I love the composition!! Kissenberth and his Edelweiss-decorated fighters have always been favorites of mine. You've captured the appearance and spirit of this encounter beautifully.

I realize you (probably) just copied and pasted the Aerodrome's own information on Kissenberth, but I'd like to take this opportunity to correct a misconception in that text. I suppose it originated with the statement in Above the Lines (by Franks, Guest and Bailey) that, "Contrary to all normal standards of eagle-eyed fighter pilots, Kissenberth wore glasses, as did fellow aces Bernert and Wintgens." That much is true, but it's not really correct to state that Kissenberth was "one of three German aces to wear spectacles during the war". There were more than that (just FYI). It would be pretty amazing if the only German aces to wear glasses all won the "Pour le Mérite"!

A very quick glance through the German aces lists brings to mind these other "four-eyed" German 'Kanonen'.

Hans Bethge, Jasta 1 and 30, 20 victories

Walter Kypke, Jasta 14, 41, 47 (etc), 9 victories

Richard Runge, Jasta 18, 8 victories

Hans Schilling, an observer ace who flew with Dossenbach, 8 victories

Erich Sonneck, Jasta 66, 6 victories

In addition, there were several like Rudolf Berthold and Egon Koepsch who occasionally wore monocles. It was hardly unusual in the German air service to wear spectacles, even among observers.

Please understand that these comments are in no way meant to detract from the terrific impact of your superb painting. I just felt like correcting a common misconception.

Greg

Since it's well established that the Germans allowed aviators to aviate with spectacles, why didn't the allies? Or did some of them permit it? I don't recall seeing photos of any Entente types with specs. (Now that I think on it the only Nieuport pilot I've seen wearing glasses was Joe Pfeiffer!)

[FliegerJG1]

Perhaps the Entente men did need the glasses but did not have them and managed to get their wings by cheating the eye exam????